December 15, 2004
Chestnuts
Our jazz band steers away from the usual so-called Christmas music. We play in a shopping mall, anyhow, and although we could improve on the common PA fare, there’s not much use competing.
We usually play the old Mel Tormé chestnut once or twice and a more or less swinging version of “Jingle Bells.” Actually, we also play that great and literally unsung tune “The Christmas Waltz,” but in four/four Count Basie time just to see if anybody notices. The only one who does is our piano man who is something of a purist and strongly resists this sort of foolishness with what’s meant to be in three/four time.
I haven’t tried to introduce the band to Advent music. But we have turned an old standard into a Christmas tune and dedicated it to the BVM. Maybe you’ll remember it. It’s called “I’ve Found A New Baby.”